SDSU Sports MBA students had an opportunity to work on-site at the 2009 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic, which took place at PETCO Park while the the San Diego Padres were on the road. This highly scouted event consists of approximately 40 of the nation's top high school baseball stars who face off in an East vs. West match-up.
This was the third year the event was hosted in San Diego, and this year's event established a new record for attendance. The Sports MBA students worked closely with the San Diego Sports Commission, Aflac's sponsorship team and Blue Ridge Sports & Entertainment. This experience offered the students exposure not only to event operations, but also sponsorship activation and implementation.
With VIP access to Petco Park, students were granted the opportunity to experience hospitality lounges, media rooms, press boxes and on-filed access, gaining exposure to the various sectors in sports management. After a full day's work, the students watched the nationally televised game of some of MLB's most high anticipated future stars.
The game was closely contested, with the West scoring in the bottom of the 9th to send the game to an extra frame, only to see each team score in the 10th to end in a 4-4 tie. The box score is here.
An overwhelming amount of positive feedback and continued success in growing the event has given San Diego significant leverage to host the 2010 Aflac All American High School Baseball Classic next year. SDSU Sports MBA looks forward to being a part of the event in the future.
-Erika Lamiell (SMBA '10)
Erin Garvey (SMBA '10) prepares the giveaways for Aflac
I prepare some posters for the fans
BP prior to the game
Great seats!
Post-Game
corporate sponsorship in baseball continues! there's a good article on the subject over here...worth reading if you're interested in baseball: http://onthebutton.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/corporate-sponsorship/
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